812.00/22843a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Mexico (Summerlin)

2049. For your information and for publication in case you deem it necessary, you are advised that the Acting Secretary of State, Mr. Phillips, stated this afternoon that the despatch of troops across the border into the city of Juarez should not be considered in any manner as unfriendly to the Mexican Government, but was made necessary solely by the fact that the rebel forces had occupied such positions in and about Juarez that their shots crossed the border into American territory and endangered the lives of American citizens. After suffering the effects of this fire in which several persons on the [Page 559] American side of the border were wounded, the American commander moved his troops across the lines in order to drive the rebels away, and for no other purpose whatsoever.

Mr. Phillips stated further that the American troops would be withdrawn immediately after this object had been obtained, and that this had been explained to General Aguilar, now in Washington on special mission from President Carranza, and to Mr. Rojo, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Mexican Embassy.

Phillips